(64) Rev. NATHANIEL6 , of Ipswich, b. Sept. 22d,. 17011
(118) was graduated at Harv. Coll. in 1721. After having assisted his father, Rev. John5, (22) and supplied the place of Rev. Mr. Fitch, for more than a year, he receives a call from the majority of the church here, Aug. 16, 1726. This call was confirmed by the Parish, Sept. 15th, if he would- settle on congregational. principles as specified in the platform of church government. This condition was objected to by his father as unprecedented; still the society held to it as indispensable. The cause of their being so particular in this matter, seems to have been an increasing desire of young ministers to put down the office of Ruling Elder, which was fully recognized in the Cambridge platform. He is ordained Oct. 18th, 1727, as colleague with his father. In the five last years of their united ministry, one hundred and forty-nine persons were admitted to the church, which, at that time, consisted of more than three hundred members.
In 1743, he is on a Committee who report in Boston a testimony, signed by himself and many other ministers, "That there has been a happy and remarkable revival of religion in many parts of this land, through an uncommon divine influence after a long time of decay and deadness." In connexion with this testimony the Committee give advice against the abuses of the revival. In 1752, he proposes to relinquish one third of his salary towards the support of a colleague. He recommends Rev. Timothy Symmes, "a native of Scituate, Mass. (graduate of H. C. 1733,) who had been ordained at Millington, in E. Haddam., Conn.; and in the celebrated revival of 1742, having been so active on the side of religion was driven from his society, and came to Ipswich, 1752, where he continued to labor till his death, April 6th, 1756, AE 41".
March 2d, 1763, Mr. Rogers preaches at, the ordination of Rev. John Treadwell, of Lynn; and in the same year, delivers a sermon on the death of Deacon Samuel Williams, from the appropriate text, "Help, Lord! for the Godly man ceaseth, for the faithful fail from among the children of men." These discourses were published. In Nov. 7th, 17651 he gives the right hand of fellowship at the ordination of Rev. Joseph Dana, D.D. of the South church, at Ipswich, (he had m. Mr. Rogers' daughter-in-law, Mary Staniford.) In 1775, Rev. Levi Frisbie, is engaged to preach here, Mr. Rogers being too sick to perform his parish duties. He died peacefully, May 10, 1775, AE. 74, being taken away, when, with most of his ministerial brethren, his patriotic feelings were severely tried, by the proceedings of the mother country, and when he had deep anxiety as to the results of the Revolution on which his countrymen had entered.
"Mr. Rogers was a man of superior intellect, which he industriously cultivated in literary and theological studies. When called upon in councils, he was intrusted with a prominent part; it was from a deep sense of duty that he took on himself, and continued to exercise the office of minister. When the path of duty was plainly marked out for him, he resolutely pursued it, whether accompanied by few or many. His great end was to have a clear conscience before the eye of Him who searches most deeply and infallibly. To the poor and afflicted, he was, a son of consolation, in word and deed, and his untiring exertions to build up the cause of Zion, were much blessed by the Great Head of the Church."
" As a, man and a minister he was loved and respected, his name and worth are in very, affectionate remembrance. There was in him, a suavity of manners, which attracted the society and conciliated the esteem of the young, a modesty which gave confidence to the reflecting, a dignity which commanded the respect of all ages and characters; a store of various knowledge and a talent for communicating it, which rendered him interesting and instructive in every circle, and on every occasion.
In the language of one who was intimately acquainted with him, it is hard to say,
whether the great or good was his predominant character. There was in him an uncommon measure and a rare combination of both. He had a very discerning mind, and was blessed with advantages for acquaintance with men and things. He exhibited generally, something superior in turn of thought and manner of conversation. The great things of the Gospel were his favorite topics. As a preacher, he avoided vain philosophy and subtle disputings; and when his heart was most moved, there appeared an energy of address rarely to be met with. In his latter days he was for some time taken off from his labors. The people of his charge and the neighbouring, churches lamented his departure with a condolence that was lively and expressive."
These lines are upon his grave-stone in the burial-ground at Ipswich :
"A mind profoundly great, a heart that felt
The ties of nature, friendship, and humanity,
Distinguish'd wisdom, dignity of Manners;
Those mark'd the man; --but with superior grace,
The Christian shone in faith and heavenly zeal,
Sweet peace, true greatness, and prevailing prayer.
Dear man of God! with what strong agonies
He wrestled for his flock and for the world;
And, like Apollos, mighty in the Scriptures,
Opened the mysteries of love divine,
And the great name of Jesus!
Warm from his lip- the heavenly doctrine fell,
And numbers, rescued from the jaws of hell,
Shall hail him blest in realms of light unknown,
And add immortal lustre to his crown."
The first wife of Rev. Nath'I Rogers, to whom he was married, Dec. 25, 1728, was Mary6, (54) widow of Col. John Denison, of Ipswich, and daughter of John Leverett5, (21) Prest. of Harvard College. He was published April 1st, 1758, to his 2d wife, Mary, bap. July 13, 171S ? and d. Sept. 18, 1779, (widow of Daniel Staniford, Esq. of 1. grad. H. C. 1738,) dau. an. of Thomas ? Burnam and 11 Margaret Boarman " of Ipswich, who were m. Sept. 30, 1703. *
Rev. NATHANIEL6, of Ipswich (64) and MARY, dau. of Pres. Leverett, of H. C., had children:
(118) 1. MARGARET7, bap. Dec. 14, 1729, in. Dr. John Calef, of Ipswich, b. in 1725. She died March 27th, 1751, YE. 21.
He was son of Robert, and Margaret youngest dau. of Deacon John Staniford, of Ipswich. In 1755, Dr. Calef is engaged to go with the Regiment of Col. Plaisted of Salem, against Crown Point. In the same year he is instructed as the Representative of Ipswich, in the General Court, to maintain charter rights; he continued Representative many years, had great respectability and considerable political influence, but falling into the unsuccessful party in revolutionary times, was obliged to leave his country.
(136) VIII. MARY7, bap. Jan. 21, 1738, d. Oct. 23d, 1757.
(137) IX. CHARLES7, b. July 5th, 1741, d. Sept. 6th, 1743.
(138) X. MARTHA7 "posthumous" daughter, b. Jan. 23d, 1743, d. July 17th, 1743.
*Felt's Hist. of Ipswich.-Essex Deeds and Probate.-Ipswich Town Rec-Rev. Mr. Kimball's Sermon, &c.